News

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) Associate Schools Programme is a long-term partnership between the RSC and schools and regional theatres across England. The Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (TRCH) has been an Associate Schools partner theatre since 2017, and we’re delighted to welcome nine new local schools to join the programme from September 2024.

As members of this community, young people and school staff will work in partnership with TRCH and the RSC to access performances, training opportunities, and theatre tours. They will also have the chance to engage in the RSC’s Shakespeare Ambassadors programme, training young people to be Leaders in Shakespeare, as well as the RSC’s Next Generation talent development programme and annual Playmaking Festival.

Partner schools will focus on a different Shakespeare play each year, having the opportunity to perform in a Shakespeare play on the Theatre Royal stage in summer 2025, as well as multiple opportunities to enjoy live and exclusive Shakespeare performances.

A recent study* found that schools who engaged in RSC teaching approaches enjoyed positive impacts on the confidence, literacy skills and problem-solving ability of the young people who participated.

TRCH’s Heritage and Learning Partnerships Manager, Becky Morris, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be welcoming such a diverse range of schools to our new Associate Schools Programme. I’ve experienced first-hand how transformative the RSC rehearsal room techniques are when used in the sharing of Shakespeare knowledge and experience. Coupling the incredible work that the RSC do with our local young people and their teachers, with a close working partnership between those schools and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall and all of the opportunities that will bring, is a dynamic and exciting opportunity for all of us. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together when we start in the next academic year.”

Lou Dee, from Bluecoat Beechdale Academy (BBA), said: “BBA have been in the Associate Schools Programme for a number of years, and are going to be the Lead School in the network from September 2024, providing mentorship and experience to colleagues new to the work.

“Being part of the Associate Schools Programme for the last 7 years has been an amazing experience. On a personal level, I have developed my practise and become much more confident delivering Shakespeare work in the classroom but the real experiences are those of the children involved. It has been incredible to see the students grow and flourish over the years, with some becoming excellent in-school ambassadors. Students from across all year groups work collaboratively and in harmony, together preparing their scenes to showcase. This has given the students an incredible platform and something to feel very proud of. Next year, we will take our learning forward as we become a lead school and my ambition is that we can support other schools new to the programme in order for them to have the same successes that we have had here at BBA. Shakespeare is to be celebrated and cherished by students and staff alike”.

RSC Associate Schools partnered with Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (from September 2024):

• Bluecoat Beechdale Academy (Lead School)
• Bulwell Academy
• Djanogly City Academy
• Southglade Primary School
• Chilwell School
• Sutherland House School
• The Joseph Whitaker School
• Bluecoat Trent Academy
• Sir John Sherbrooke Junior School

*RSC ‘Time to Act’ research study: https://www.rsc.org.uk/learn/research/current-research/time-to-act)